PSD Circular No. 04: Ensuring uninterrupted ATM, POS, QR Code, Internet Banking, Online e-Payment Gateway and MFS during the vacation of Eid-ul-Fitr & Bengali New Year's Day

Payment Systems Department
Bangladesh Bank
Head Office
Dhaka

21 Chaitra, 1430
Date:
04 April, 2024

PSD Circular No. 04/2024

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
All Scheduled Banks operating in Bangladesh
All Mobile Financial Service Providers/Payment Service Providers/Payment System Operators

Dear Sir,

Regarding ensuring uninterrupted transactions via ATM, POS, QR Code, Internet Banking, Online e-Payment Gateway, and MFS during the vacation of Eid-ul-Fitr and Bengali New Year 1431.

In order to ensure uninterrupted transactions for customers via Automated Teller Machine (ATM), Point of Sale (POS), QR Code, Internet Banking, Online e-Payment Gateway, and Mobile Financial Services (MFS) during the holidays of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr and Bengali New Year 1431, the following instructions are being issued to you:

1. In the case of Automated Teller Machine (ATM):
   a) Ensure 24/7 ATM services; b) Take steps to resolve any technical faults in ATMs at the earliest possible time; c) Ensure adequate supply of cash at ATM booths; d) Keep the maximum amount for a single transaction for cash withdrawal equal in both On-us and Off-us cases; e) Ensure other security measures along with the alert presence of guards at ATM booths; f) Arrange for inspection of ATM booths by concerned bank officials if necessary.

2. In the case of Point of Sale (POS), QR Code:
   a) Ensure 24/7 POS and QR Code-based transaction services; b) Create awareness among merchants and customers to prevent fraud.

3. In the case of Internet Banking and Online e-Payment Gateway:
   a) Ensure Two Factor Authentication (2FA) is mandatory for transactions conducted via Account and "Card not Present" card-based transactions on Online e-Payment Gateway; b) Upon receiving the Settlement Report of transactions with '85' response code, the receiving bank shall immediately credit the funds to the beneficiary customer's account on its own initiative.

4. In the case of Mobile Financial Services (MFS):
   a) Ensure uninterrupted transactions and adequate supply of cash at agent points by all banks providing MFS or their subsidiary companies.

5. Miscellaneous:
   a) Take appropriate measures to ensure overall security of the systems under the above services and to handle risks by payment service providers during the Eid holiday period; b) Inform customers instantly via SMS alert service about transactions of any amount under the above services; c) Arrange for various types of publicity and promotion in the media to exercise necessary caution in all types of payment services through electronic means; d) Take steps to ensure that customers are not harassed in any way in such transactions and provide continuous Help Line support; e) Comply with the instructions of all circulars previously issued by this department.

This matter is of utmost importance.

Yours faithfully,

(Md. Sharafat Ullah Khan)
Director (PSD)
Phone: 9530611